You're invited to our open house

Parnell, company CEO to speak at event

Readers of the Juneau Empire will have a special chance to peek behind the curtain at the office of Juneau’s only daily newspaper this afternoon.

The Empire is hosting an open house from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. today to commemorate its 100th anniversary, and it is inviting members of the public to stop by its office at 3100 Channel Drive to meet newspaper staff and tour the facility.

“We’ve been serving the community for 100 years,” said Mark Bryan, publisher of the Empire. “And we want the public to come in and really feel like we’re their hometown newspaper.”

In 1912, the newspaper was founded as the Alaska Daily Empire.

Gov. Sean Parnell and the first lady, Sandy Parnell, are set to attend the open house. Gov. Parnell is scheduled to speak at about 4:25 p.m.

The governor’s press secretary, Sharon Leighow, said Parnell will “talk about the importance of the press and democracy.”

William “Billy” Morris III, chairman and chief executive officer of Morris Communications Co., which owns the paper, will also deliver remarks via telephone from Augusta, Ga., where the company is headquartered.

A member of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s staff will read a statement that the senator entered into the congressional record recognizing the Empire’s 100th anniversary.

Bryan will also offer his thoughts on the Empire’s past, present and future.

Visitors will have “full access” to the Empire’s work areas on the first and second floor of the building, including the Empire’s collection of Alaskan art, Bryan said.

“We’re going to be giving brief overviews of what each department does as folks move through the building, and we’re here to answer any kinds of questions that they may have,” Bryan said.

There will also be two demonstrations of the newspaper’s printing press during the afternoon.

Refreshments, including cake, will be served. The Crimson Quartet will provide classical music entertainment.

The building’s main parking lot will be open to the public. Overflow parking will be available on the gravel lot between the Empire building and the neighboring Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities office.